Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most popular forms of therapy for the treatment of mental illnesses. In particular, it has been proven to be highly successful at treating addiction and substance abuse. Therapists frequently use CBT techniques when working one-on-one with rehab clients. It’s ideal for helping clients find a different perspective on their issues. What are some of the other advantages of these services? More importantly, how can they help you during recovery?
Understanding Popular CBT Techniques
Short for cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT typically takes place during talk therapy sessions. Addiction treatment specialists use the approach to reach individuals who struggle through recovery. Furthermore, it’s a collaborative effort that helps a client think through thoughts, actions, and feelings. In the process, they’ll identify actions that are negative.
At the root of the negativity, you frequently find distortions that date back to childhood. The treatment lets you explore self-defeating patterns, and you learn about your tendency to handle things in ways that harm. You then have the option of replacing unhealthy habits with healthy ones. During goal-setting sessions, which are CBT techniques, you prioritize changes you want to see in your life.
What Makes CBT Effective for Addiction Treatment?
This form of psychotherapy acknowledges that feelings, thought patterns, and behaviors intertwine to form triggers and responses. It would be simple for someone else to tell you not to think in a certain way. Unfortunately, it would also be useless. A therapist recognizes that you need to examine your thoughts, feelings, and actions yourself to pinpoint problems.
As you become more aware of your patterns and their consequences for your choices, you make changes. Moreover, additional treatment approaches of addiction therapy reinforce your decisions. By integrating multiple therapy options, your treatment will be more effective. It helps to attack these issues Examples of these modalities include:
- Family therapy program
- Group therapy for addiction
- Reality based therapy
- Nutritional counseling
- Recreational therapy
What Happens if CBT Doesn’t Work?
Rehab facilities recognize that cognitive behavioral therapy is not for everyone. However, it’s a form of therapy that works for the majority of individuals. For those who need a different approach, there’s typically dialectical behavior therapy. It’s an outcropping of CBT that focuses on emotional response regulation.
Rather than making changes in your patterns, you learn to embrace reality as it presents itself. In the process, you have a chance to gauge your response to it. Specifically, handling the response can significantly reduce triggers. Add meditation or yoga as a means of conscious relaxation to assist with the modality.
Finding out What Works for You
If you’re struggling with an addiction right now, you don’t have to continue on this road. Instead, you can reach out for help and have a therapist customize a treatment plan for you. At Crest View Recovery Center, compassionate experts work with people just like you who want to quit using. Contact Crest View Recovery Center at 866-327-2505 today to get started on the road to recovery.
